Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Pleasant Alley

Butte National Historic Landmark District

— "Venus Alley" —

Pleasant Alley Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

1. Pleasant Alley Marker

Inscription. Brick pavement is the only enduring feature of this once-promiscuous alley of national ill repute. By the 1890s, Pleasant Alley and other smaller alleys were the dingy backyards where the less favored women of Butte’s sprawling red light district eked out a living. In halfhearted response to reform-conscious citizens, officials decreed in 1903 that prostitutes and their one-room “cribs” fronting Galena and Mercury streets were too visible. The city ordered these “public” women to don high-necked blouses, lengthen their skirts and lower their blinds in an attempt to curtail open solicitation. Instead they took to alleys like this one, pushing their less fortunate sisters into the district’s even darker recesses. In many cases, windows and doors were simply cut into the backs of the existing cribs. Prohibition and World War I closed the alleys in 1917. In the 1930s, illicit business activity resumed on a smaller scale along this street, renamed “Venus Alley,” until all cribs were closed by federal law in 1943.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: Entertainment • Notable Places • Women. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 46° 0.724′ N, 112° 32.059′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is on East Galena Street near South Wyoming Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 East Galena Street, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pleasant Alley and the Copper Block (here, next to this marker); Butte Tin Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Dumas Hotel (within

Pleasant Alley Marker and Pleasant Alley Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

2. Pleasant Alley Marker and Pleasant Alley Park

shouting distance of this marker); Butte Daily Post Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ivanhoe Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Imperial Block (about 300 feet away); Wah Chong Tai Company Building and Mai Wah Noodle Parlors (about 300 feet away); 125-134 South Main (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Pleasant Alley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

3. Pleasant Alley

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 947 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 5, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.